Excitement

I should start blogging about December 2012. The month I successfully convinced my mother to let me apply for an 8 days home stay program to South Korea. I have waited for that day for about 2 years? In January 2013, I started filling up my application form. Since the program runs on first come first serve basis, I felt the need to send in my application form earlier. I applied with my classmate and both of us are avid fans of K-Pop. My main or shouldni say, ONLY favorite group is BIGBANG. Maybe you've heard of BIGBANG because just last year they ran an world tour from all over Asia to the United States and Europe. Okay... Back to my story, the not-fangirl world of mine. As I was saying, my friend and I applied for the program to South Korea. We had choices between Australia, Japan, Korea and London but we of course immediately chosed Korea because of... Well.. BUT besides just being avid fans of K-Pop, I fell in love with Korea's culture and the vibrant cities in Korea especially Seoul. What would be your first impression when you think of Korea? (no Gangnam Style please) (p.s I fell in love with BIGBANG and Korea way back in 2008/2009)Technology perhaps? Koreans that look the same everywhere? You'll be surprised with what you'll be able to see and experience there. I learnt Korean during Nov/Dec 2012. It was a crash course that lasted for a month and a half and luckily, I already know how to read Hangul(Korean characters) before the classes. When I started going all fangirl mode over BIGBANG, I started learning Korean on my own so... With a little effort, I managed to know how to read Korean and i'm slowly improving my understanding while watching Korean series/drama/variety shows. I find learning Korean quite easy as many words have the same pronunciation and meaning in Chinese (p.s i'm Chinese). For example, 태양 or Taeyang which means sun and in Chinese, it is pronounced as Taiyang and both share the same meaning. After learning more about Korean language, I started going into their culture. Their colorful and delicious food, crazy nightlife, beautiful country, the difference in ethic, customs and beliefs. What I LOVE the most in Korea have got to be the FOOD. Traditional or not, they still taste amazing. I tried Ddeobokki, Kimbap,Korean fried chicken, Kimchi, Ramyeon, Octopus, Beef stew, Patbingsoo and the list goes on and on.... Not forgetting the drinks, Korea's coffee really tastes great! Despite having franchise of Starbucks, The Coffe Bean, Paris Baguette and many more all over Korea, I tried some of their local cafes. One thing that differs Korea and my country is that they open up cafes that have the similar concept as Starbucks or Coffee Bean instead of opening up some cheap, non air-conditioned cafe. Most local cafes in Korea are famous in their own country and they have high standards. Pushing all of that aside, here are some crazy facts that i've seen/learnt in Korea: ~ Korean drives are crazy hardcore race car drivers ~ Bus drivers don't care if you're seated or not. They'll drive off once he saw everyone's on the bus ~ They support Samsung or LG overly much. Mostly Samsung ~ Some snacks are produced by Lotte and Lotte runs a mall, a theme park, build condos/apartments and etc ~ Some Koreans don't really like Japanese or Japan, Chinese from China or Taiwan ~ Their school hours are REALLY LONG. High schools study from 8a.m to 6.10p.m ~ Most students reach home around 11p.m after attending their academies a.k.a tuition center ~ Students are closer to their friends than their parents because they barely meet them 2-3 hours a day ~ Korea starts to get busy only at nightfall ~ Everyone is extremely friendly and warm ( I LOVE THEM ALL) ~ You can greet almost everyone, anywhere without getting weird stares ~ Be quiet when you're in a train or bus if not they'll think you're rude and give you "the eye" ~ EVERYONE uses their phones ANYWHERE they go. Even when they're crossing the road, riding a bus, riding a train or even just plainly walking around! THEY CANNOT PART WITH THEIR PHONES. I MEAN LIKE LITERALLY CANNOT. ~ Kimchi is like the appetizer dish at any meal of the day. Even if you're having Western, Italian or etc you'll still have a dish of Kimchi or Radish ~ English is an compulsory subject in all schools and they have two classes. One taught by Korean teacher and a another by a British or American teacher ~ English activity books written by Koreans have mistakes and the Korean teacher DOESN'T REALIZE IT AT ALL so the students just go with the flow (omg) ~ Academics in Korea is totally like some HUGE IMPROTANT thing. All students have to study very hard to get to college/ universities ~ Bowing is important especially when you're netting with someone older than you/ teachers ~ In Seoul, most of the Koreans can tell if you're a foreigner or not especially those who are Chinese and look like Koreans but in other cities, they usually think you're a Korean (those who are not American/European/Indian/Malay etc) ~ Because of business and sales reason, almost all salesgirl/guy in Seoul knows how to speak fluent Chinese and a little English ~ You'll get lots of free stuff because you're a foreigner ~ There are taxis for foreigners only which meant the driver knows English ~ Once you speak English, they'll think you're American/British and when you speak Chinese, they'll think you're from China ( ALL THE ABOVE ARE BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE) To Be Continued....